*Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review*
Ali Hazelwood has a way of making me care for characters so much I feel like I know them. It was like that with her debut and it is the same here. This story follows Bee a pink hair neuroscientist that is headed to Texas to work on a project with NASA which is great except her arch nemesis from grad school, Levi, is her co-lead on the project. As they try to work together, the pressure rises and eventually things boil to the surface.
This is a classic rival to lovers storyline, where it is pretty obvious from the beginning that he likes her. There is also a little bit of a You Got Mail situation regarding Twitter accounts. I really liked our Hero, Levi. He is that perfect cinnamon roll, socially awkward, pinning man. The way he treats Bee in the middle and the end of the book are great. Bee is pretty relatable with her lack of fitness, not cooking, and quirky personality. I was crying at one point and laughing at the next. I had to put the book down towards the end because I can't handle the idea of a third act breakup between these two. This book had a visceral reaction in me which makes it already an amazing book. I also enjoyed the side characters in this book much more than her first as most of these were supportive and not pushy. This book does have more spice than her debut.
There were a few flaws upon giving it time to sit. The ending was such a tonal shift and quite out of pocket that it jarred me out of the romance for a bit. Besides that the other issues I saw were similar to her first. Once again, the girl is very small and the guy is quite large and that is constantly pointed out. Bee also have a fainting issues that is never quite explained, but makes her faint like she is a 18th century damsel in distress, complete with the hero picking her up bridal style. It was quirky once or twice but after a while it felt like a shick.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book and I think it is on par with her first book. So if you enjoyed The Love Hypothesis you will like Love on The Brain

3 ⭐️ I wanted more

So first off, I want to say that Ali Hazelwood is an excellent writer who can write about science in a way that non-science folks (like me) can understand and find entertaining. I’m also a huge fan of her humor and one-liners. Plus, she does an amazing job creating tension between the MCs. I will definitely read anything and everything by her! 💕

Specifically in Love On The Brain, I enjoyed the overall storyline, the bits about life as a woman in STEM, the interesting info about Madame Curie, the tension between Levi and Bee, the Twitter DMs, Rocio and Kaylee, and the cats!


That being said. . . I really enjoyed The Love Hypothesis and had high hopes for Love On The Brain, but unfortunately, it fell flat for me. Here’s why:


- Was this The Love Hypothesis 2.0? Obviously, there are differences between the stories and characters. However, the similarities are striking and hard to miss. Some of this was the mannerisms or way the characters spoke or the words they used to describe things were identical. And in a lot of ways, Levi and Adam were the same people, just a different font.

- The romance took extremely long to unfold because the only thing holding it back was Bee’s misunderstanding and inability to shut up and let Levi explain himself. I love the miscommunication trope, but Bee was trying really hard to keep these miscommunications between them.

- The scene with Levi's family was unnecessary. I thought this would be a major conflict based on how it was introduced. But nothing of importance happens. We already know Levi's family was awful since he explained it to Bee, so this meeting was completely pointless for the story.

- Levi letting his awful family be a part of his life was confusing. He says he’s been to therapy because of them, but any good therapist would have told him to cut them out of his life because they are extremely toxic. And Levi says he’s thought about cutting them out but hasn’t because “his brother and mom are much better when my father isn’t around.” Not a good enough reason.

- Levi’s reason for his behavior towards Bee in grad school was hardly explained. All he says is he had issues communicating because of his family/childhood, and he went to therapy and is better now. I needed more.

- The sex scenes felt incredibly jumpy. There was some graphic terminology, but once they got started, it glossed over the act for one paragraph, and then it was over. I needed more.

- Bee’s inability to comprehend that Levi could like her more than just a f**k buddy was extremely annoying. I rolled my eyes at many of her inner thoughts because she kept talking herself out of the possibility that he could be serious. She was basically in a constant state of denial.

- The fact Bee is working towards mending the friendship with Annie, her ex-best friend, who screwed her fiancé upsets me. Annie slept with Tim because she wanted to know what it would be like to be Bee (first off, that’s a little creepy), but she didn’t even like him. Obviously, there’s never a good reason to sleep with your best friend's fiancé, but this was the worst. And now, because Bee misses the friendship, she’s working on mending it by the end of the book. No. Just no. I could NEVER imagine forgiving a person who would willingly hurt me like that.

- The big conflict at the end was pretty unrealistic. I needed more of an explanation for the villain's actions than what we got. It seemed very out of place and random with the story, and I doubt this would ever happen in real life.



So would I recommend this book? If you really loved The Love Hypotheses, I definitely think you’ll like this one too. It’s an easy-to-read, fun story that combines science and romance. However, if you weren’t a fan, then you should pass.



Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review! As always, all opinions are my own.

Super cute with a slow start, Ali's newest release follows the formula that works best for her. I enjoyed the characters and how unique they were. This one was a little slow going though and I set it down multiple times before really getting into the mystery and the romance. I loved the ties to Marie Curie and it made me research her a little when I finished. It wasn't super spicy but definitely a slow burn which I loved. Funny side characters, well researched, and a great ending.

I’m an @alihazelwood addict and I won’t deny it! Someone please lock this woman in a room with her laptop and slip her just enough food and water to keep her satiated and hydrated so she can continue churning out more gorgeous books.

This one is everything you want and hope for: nerdy and funny and sweet and spicy and heartwarming and smart. There’s so much juicy yearning and pining in this book. Great side characters. Lots of neuroscience and engineering. I couldn’t put it down. It’s out 8/23/22 and you should just go right ahead and preorder it! You won’t regret it.

Thank you Ali and Berkley and Netgalley for the early digital copy!

You’re all going to love this one!

Ali Hazelwood is quickly becoming a favorite author. This book, like Love Hypothesis before it, has fun, smart female characters with the geeky boys we love.

While it was well known that Love Hypothesis was originally fanfiction, this book feels a little different. You can still see a bit of the fictional universe the author obviously loves, but this book stands it's own ground away from fan fiction. Knowing the author's STEM background, this book feels authentic in a way that not all romance books can achieve. I lived it and I can't wait to see what else Hazelwood has in store for us.

This was a good follow up to Hazelwood's first book, but I still felt like there was more potential to be tapped. I love the STEM elements, academic romances are one of my favorites, but the MC heroines feel too juvenile. Hazelwood's MC heroes have the perfect amount of brooding and sensitivity, so that is a win. The story is a bit predictable, you can tell some of the big plot twists right away but it was still fun to read what happens.

the author who published reylo fanfic as her debut novel references star wars in her second book. that's so fucking funny. ali hazelwood you're so fucking funny.

i loooove levi. i'm generally pretty over the "perfect" male love interest, but i still love it when it's done well. and it was done well. i love wish fulfillment and hot people, what can i say.

as for the whole twitter thing. i thought it was going to be way more annoying, so props to hazelwood for it NOT being super annoying. i also thought that the stem feminism thing was going to be poorly done, but no, it was generally pretty good. i do really like these books because you can tell that the author is actually a woman in stem. some of it was preachy, but that's on par with any of these romcoms.

i liked that the conflict was a "traditional" conflict and not a "woman is facing sexists" conflict.

this book was fucking funny i genuinely actually laughed at some bits. it does read like fanfic a bit, but that's not a BAD thing. i like to have fun!!!!

thank you to the publisher and netgalley for providing my review copy.

Is Brainy Romance a trope? Because if it isn't, someone needs to make it a thing and then award Ali Hazelwood with the damn crown!!! Holy Crap, Love on the Brain was amazing!!!! Hazelwood's The Love Hypothesis was one of my FAVORITE books last year so I was sooooo excited to read another women in STEM story. In her second novel, Hazelwood pens a delightful story with fantastic whip-smart wit, delicious banter, hot tension/yearning and a soul-deep connection that could not be denied!!!

I am officially putting the world on notice that Levi Ward is my new boyfriend and I will fight everyone for him!! Gah!!! He is serious, intense, broody and SO sexy. I am legit obsessed with him! Anyone who knows me knows that Enemies to Lovers novels are my jam but to add in smart and hilarious banter and a heroine I want to be bestfriends with? Sign me up! This story was filled to the brim with so much heart and emotion and the love story between Levi and Bee was perfection! While I will admit there was, in my opinion, a prolonged miscommunication between them for more than half the story that could have been cleared up with a conversation, Love on the Brain hit all the right spots and delivered another funny, heartwarming and smart romance I could not get enough of.

Overall, Love on the Brain was another amazing story by Ali Hazelwood. It had a potent combination of feels, laughs, swoons and characters that burrow themselves deep in your heart to never leave. Bravo! 5 stars!

Thank you Berkley Publishing for an advanced copy of this book for an advanced review! ~Ratula

Okay first thank you to Berkley Publishing for sending me an ARC of literally my most anticipated book for this entire year. I LOVED the Love Hypothesis so much (literally the first adult romance book I've actually thoroughly enjoyed) but when I tell you I LOVED Love on the Brain even more. There is something so charismatic and loveable about Bee, she is someone I think I could just sit down with and talk about nothing with for so long. I related to her in so many different ways and I love her as a protagonist. She is fierce, funny, and such a nerd she is what makes this book so good. I'm very glad Ali Hazelwood touched on the blatant misogony many women who work in STEM feel, it was frustrating to read about but so necessary to have. I also love Levi....like the way I HATED him in the first few chapters but you grow to love him so much. I think Ali writes the 'brooding but in love' male protagonist so well, because we see how much Levi has loved Bee for so long. There is just something about how he is willing to do anything to make her happy which I find so endearing - he understands her past and loves her even more for it. I also love the secret twitter account lovers reveal too, cause ofc they've been messaging each other for years without either of them knowing. UGH. This book was so good its every ounce of romance and science that Ali Hazelwood is known for and I DID have some reservations about the book and the plot, but honestly overall this is a 5 star read for me <3

I loved this book, as I love all of Ali Hazelwood's writings. This book was an engaging romance with a bit of mystery woven into the story, The science felt strong enough that it wasn't a distraction and the characters were well developed, leaving the reader rooting for them. Extremely satisfying ending.

Thank you to Berkeley and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

This is exactly what I needed to read. I have been underwhelmed by some books this month and reading this was such a great experience. I read The Love Hypothesis in February and loved it and this was just as delightful. Ali’s writing is so fun and easy to read, especially if you don’t know a lot of science terms she is talking about.

The characters and romance were so engaging and delightful to read about and i just wanted to spend more time with them. I sincerely hope to see these characters again along with Olive and Adam. This was such a great read and I cannot wait to see what Ali does next!

WOW. When you read a debut like THE LOVE HYPOTHESIS, which makes it in your top 2 books of the year, you definitely don't expect another book so quickly and that is just as good as the debut. I will forever read anything Ali Hazelwood writes. I am in AWE. Just like with her debut, I read LOVE ON THE BRAIN in one sitting... accidentally staying up until 3:30 a.m. to do so. It was just that good.

What I loved about it:
- Enemies to lovers is my favorite and this one was done so well
- My favorite movie is You've Got Mail, and OMG this book has allllll those vibes
- The nerdy and witty banter is superb
- So many important topics covered about women in STEM! From being the only woman in the room to "professionalism" to stereotyping... It was amazing.
- I learned a lot about Marie Curie!! She's a bad ass.
- LGBTQ Rep!
- The quirky side characters were so fun
- The humor! I definitely had to stifle my laughter as I read in bed at 3 a.m.
- A twist?!? Loved it.

So basically... I will be encouraging everyone to read this book. Also, def more steam in this one than Love Hypothesis!!

(REVIEW TO BE POSTED ON INSTAGRAM SOON)

Thank you to Netgalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the arc in exchange for an honest review!

I may or may not have read this book in one sitting (ok I definitely did).

There's something so addicting about Ali Hazelwood's writing. I love reading about smart, funny, nerdy women who are unabashedly themselves finding their happy ever afters.

Bee gets hired to co-lead a new project at NASA with none other than her old nemesis from grad-school, Levi. But in true rom-com fashion, we quickly learn that he never thought of her as a nemesis at all. Add in a sprinkle of the secret identity trope (hello anonymous twitter accounts!) and we have ourselves a perfect rom-com.

I personally loved this book more than The Love Hypothesis, so if you loved that one, you're sure to enjoy this one too!

This book was an absolute delight! Ali Hazelwood has established herself as a must-read author for me. Love on the Brain somehow managed to top The Love Hypothesis, which I was not expecting. There was so much going on here: enemies to lovers, a nod to "You've Got Mail," an element of mystery, but the author somehow managed to blend it all together perfectly.
I just love the heroines that Ali Hazelwood writes. I never thought I would enjoy reading about scientists, but I find it refreshing to read about women who are impressively smart. I loved that Bee was quirky, in her personality and fashion choices, and I loved how Levi appreciated every bit of who she was. Actually, I just loved Levi (he was a perfect book boyfriend).

I am still dealing with a book hangover after finishing Love on the Brain. I can only hope the next Ali Hazelwood novel releases soon, so I can get another fix!

Ali Hazelwood has done it again. I was craving a lighthearted and sweet romance that would hook my little engineer's heart and this book did exactly that. Love on the Brain made me smile, it gave me a little break from my own life, what more could you want?

The characters are lovable, and Levi's adoration of Bee was beyond cute. Bee herself was the perfectly weird, socially awkward main character every nerdy woman in STEM could see herself in.

Do yourself a favor and pick up this book!

I start my review by giving
a big applause for the brilliant person who created this amazing cover! And second one comes for brilliant brain cells of the author!

This is absolutely sweetest, quirkiest, smartest, geekiest, sexiest and STEMinest romance I’ve ever read!

Marie Curie fan girl, devoted Jedi, purple haired, ultra smart Bee Königswasser and her nemeses, brooding, know-it-all, reserved Levi Ward who has greenest hypnotizing eyes and their fiery, explosive chemistry hook me up! I loved them so much!

Enemies to lovers and friends to lovers themes meet “You’ve got mail” blended in second chances with so much brainy, nerdy references made me giggle at least hundred times!

Heartbroken Bee, who was raised by different relatives, bounced from one extended family member to another, lived in a dozen countries! It’s so normal for her to want a secure, stable life that she can put down roots. She’s opposite of her sister Reike who travels around the world, experiencing different lifestyles.

And Bee thought she’s finally found the love of her life: Tim might be the ONE she can live happily ever after with but she finds out he’s having an affair with her best friend.

But now she got a dreamy job offer: she will work at freaking NASA to lead neuroengineering project : she’s going to work on astronaut helmets! Yes! But when she realizes she’s going to work with grad school arch-nemesis Levi Ward: tall, dark haired, piercing green eyes, a brainy Adonis, she curses her luck!

And as soon as she arrives at her work space: she finds out she doesn’t have one: because there’s shipment problem about her equipments and clock is ticking, her superiors force her to show them some scientific results about her project, the very same project she cannot start. And Levi still gives her cold shoulder, never returning to her emails, criticizing her fashion style!

She has to confront that man who turns her life into hell by telling him how he makes her feel for years!

But what if Levi is not the villain of this story and only thing he wants to do this accomplish their mission by working as equal colleagues. What if Levi’s awkward manners around her doesn’t mean he despises her!

Well: I loved the big espionage/ action packed mystery part of the story. Both Levi and Bee were so lovable characters. They keep savoring their happy ending by miscommunication but I loved how their characters evolved!

There are some similarities with Adam and Olive’s story ( Love Hypothesis) : how both couple misunderstands each other, how the hero saves the day and hotel room romance parts! But I liked this formula a lot and this book really burned my brain cells with the smartest references: it’s truly so much fun to live inside Bee’s brain and read her whirlwind thoughts, admire her extra nerdy perspective, her vivid, sarcastic tone!

So I’m rounding up 4.5 stars to nerdy, spacey, cat lover, funny, quirky, adorable main characters stars!

Special thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for sharing this amazing, one of the most anticipated books’ arc copy with me in exchange my honest thoughts.

Looking forward to read upcoming geeky romance stories of Ali Hazelwood.

3.5 stars
This book was very cute. I'm not very smart or at least not a science-y person so I can't really speak to that side of things but I did like the unconventional setting. Not a lot of romance novels also have that much scientific info/jargon included. Anyways this book started off as standard enemies-to-lovers fair but quickly takes a turn after the first Twitter convo between the anonymous science nerds. I won't spoil it but hint hint I love pining.

The book follows neuroscientist Bee who gets a job doing science stuff for NASA. Bee is of course pumped because she has some tragedy in her backstory and this is a chance for a new start. Unfortunately, the co-lead on the project is her arch-enemy Levi who has seemingly hated her since their grad school days. Obviously, the two are forced to work together and begin to become sorta friends. The book is told in first-person POV from Bee's perspective so there is less info on how Levi is feeling besides Bee's interpretation of his facial muscles. There is of course a steamy sex scene and some miscommunication but our science nerds do achieve a happy ending.

The reason I didn't rate this book higher is because of a pet peeve of mine that also happened in the first book. So something major would happen plot and romance wise and the chapter would end. However, the next chapter would seemingly ignore the major plot/romance point and almost act as if it had never happened until the end of the next chapter. I'm all for keeping readers in suspense but it was a little weird and took me out of the story a little bit. Again this might just be my issue but I wanted to include it. Overall this was a very cute and fun romance.

I was provided a free copy of this book through NetGalley.

I loved this one so much! I enjoyed Ali Hazelwood’s ‘The Love Hypothesis’ so much, but this one topped the list for me.
Being a psychology student, I really appreciated all of the neuroscience tied into the chapter headings and the majority of the plot.
I loved the romance and Levi was so realistic as he struggled with his social skills, and I thought that was really well done.
At the end of the novel though I felt like some things were rushed.
For example, the plot with her coworker threatening to kill her. I felt like that was glossed over very quickly.

This is a book I have already told all my coworkers about and I’ll be buying a physical copy for myself once it is released!

Thanks you again for the Advanced Reading Copy

I love Ali Hazelwood’s books so when I got the e-ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review I jumped at the chance.
The book didn’t disappoint. The characters were quirky and smart, and they start off repelled by each other but like magnets they finally attracted. Once they were together, their chemistry kept up and I really liked how the characters were written. I read this quickly and can’t wait to read more by this author.

So. Much. Squeeeeee.

This first was when I got the notification from NetGalley that I’d been approved for an eARC (thank you, NetGalley and Penguin Random House for providing this in exchange for my honest review!). I adored The Love Hypothesis, so I was eager to read Hazelwood’s sophomore outing.

This did not disappoint! Pause for “Heroine runs an anonymous blog/social media account and forms online friendship with another anonymous blog/social media account which is clearly run by her archnemesis” trope appreciation.

I love pretty much all flavors of enemies to lovers storylines, but the “the enemy has been in love with the heroine since the word go, but is a dumb bunny who can’t express his feelings properly” is a favorite (see: The Hating Game, Beach Read, and The Spanish Love Deception) because you can usually count on some delicious tension and LotB delivers. 🥵

Was I superpower by any of the plot twists? Not particularly. Did that detract AT ALL from my enjoyment of this book? No ma’am. Levi is a precious cinnamon roll who must be protected at all costs. The slow burn was soooo gooood. Definitely recommend you pick this one up for your beach bag, especially if you enjoyed TLH.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/59571699